IgA1 protease contributes to the virulence of Streptococcus suis

Streptococcus suis (S. suis) is a major swine pathogen and emerging zoonotic agent. However, the current understanding of the S. suis pathogenesis of infection remains limited. In the present study, the contribution to the pathogenesis of S. suis was evaluated on IgA1 protease (or iga gene), which has been regarded as a virulence factor of gram-negative pathogenic bacteria and of certain gram-positive pathogenic bacteria. In contrast to the wild type (WT) strain of S. suis serotype 2, the isogenic iga mutant (Δiga) constructed by allelic replacement showed significantly decreased lethality to pigs. The present study suggests that IgA1 protease might contribute to S. suis pathogenesis.